Vanessa Pena

I am a graduate mechanical engineer who prioritizes constant learning, innovation and productivity. My proficiencies lie in engineering design, project planning and performing mechanical workshop operations. I am well-versed in Microsoft Office packages, Solidworks, ANSYS, and Python programming. I have a passion for maintenance engineering, and within the next 5 years I aspire to become a professional HVAC/Maintenance Engineer.

Vacation Work Student | AfriSam Pty Ltd

JANUARY 2020

• Re-engineered a faulty cement chute at the Dudfield railway station. Provided employers with a new low-budget chute design of the connecting motor, lifting cables and pulley system.

Vacation Work Student | University of Pretoria

OCTOBER 2019 – NOVEMBER 2019

• Developed my workshop skills by operating lathes, milling machines, sheet metal cutters and CNC machines at the Heavy Machinery Labs.

CDIO Lab Assistant | University of Pretoria

FEBRUARY 2020 – OCTOBER 2019

• Responsible for collecting, organizing and distributing marked assessments to undergraduate mechanical engineering students at the CDIO Office.

Vacation Work Student | AfriSam Pty Ltd

DECEMBER 2018 – JANUARY 2019

• Obtained machine maintenance knowledge by job shadowing artisans servicing the cement ball mill bearings, transformers, compressors and bucket elevators.
• Reviewed equipment manuals on AfriSam’s industrial vacuum cleaners, compressors and cement bucket elevators.

Vacation Work Student | Vertically Integrated Projects

JULY 2018 – DECEMBER 2018

• Succeeded in designing and manufacturing 3D printed micro housings for a people counter sensor device.
• Introduced to the use of Arduinos and Raspberry Pi to help develop a people counter sensor.

Workshop Training | Tshwane South College

DECEMBER 2016

• Introduced to general machine operations including milling, turning, welding, soldering and understanding the working principles of electric motors.
• Achieved a final mark of 76% on the final practical skills training report.

Honours in Engineering(BEng Hons Mechanical) | University of Pretoria

Current

Bachelor in Engineering(BEng Mechanical) | University of Pretoria

2016 – 2020

National Senior Certificate | Hoërskool Lichtenburg

2011 – 2015